Kermit Kaleba • Aug. 20, 2026
This year, I’ve traveled 18,000 miles visiting 12 states across the country to learn how education and business leaders are strengthening the connection between learning and work. As employers struggle to find skilled workers and learners seek faster, more affordable pathways to good jobs, policymakers are refining what it means for a credential to have value.
On July 23, Lumina hosted a webinar to discuss how states are defining and redefining credentials of value. Leaders from Connecticut, Mississippi, and North Carolina share how they’ve approached this work, what they’ve learned along the way, and how those definitions are shaping workforce and education policy in their states.
Kermit Kaleba from Lumina Foundation discusses the FutureReady States initiative—a program helping state leaders work through these issues and more. Governor Jared Polis of Colorado and Nathan Rankin of Alabama’s Department of Workforce discuss their strategies to improve short-term credential programs and outcomes.
Lumina Podcast Episode 58Leaders in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey, Colorado, North Carolina, Michigan, Connecticut, Alabama, and Illinois talk about the opportunities ahead for FutureReady States.
Lumina launches FutureReady States to better gauge workforce credential value
FutureReady States launch news release
We assess the 12 participating FutureReady States on their ability to strengthen short-term credential ecosystems so state investments in nondegree credentials produce clear economic and social returns. This report will inform states’ next-stage action plans around goals, quality frameworks, data strategies, and implementation priorities.
Learn More“Alabama has prioritized building a transparent, skills-based credentialing system that puts students, workers, and employers on the same page–and on the path to shared success. Our Alabama Credential Registry is proving that when you align talent with opportunity, everyone wins. I’m proud that Alabama is leading the way, and I applaud Lumina for challenging more states to follow suit.”
States Are spending billions on short-term credential degrees, but are they successful?
Here's what we hope to learn from FutureReady States.
By 2040, 75 percent of the U.S. labor force will have college degrees or other credentials of value leading to economic prosperity.
Lumina Foundation’s FutureReady States (FRS) initiative brings together a cohort of states working to strengthen short-term credential ecosystems and ensure that state investments in nondegree crede...
A new project backed by the Lumina Foundation seeks to help 12 states better gauge the value of short-term credentials.
